Question: Baby birth - tix strategy?
Jun 22, 2012, 5:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
Baby birth - tix strategy?
Waiting for my daughter to give birth, baby girl 
exact date unknown, of course. Last minute tix can be expensive. Any good strategy for tix, reward tix? YOW-YYJ. Thanks!
exact date unknown, of course. Last minute tix can be expensive. Any good strategy for tix, reward tix? YOW-YYJ. Thanks!
Jun 22, 2012, 6:05 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & 2MM/Bonvoy Gold/HHonors Diamond
Posts: 4,586
This may be one of those things to ITA Matrix when they admit her...
Just grab what you can.
I won't tell you what my MIL payed for a last second YUL-YYZ flight when my wife went in for baby #1
Just grab what you can.
I won't tell you what my MIL payed for a last second YUL-YYZ flight when my wife went in for baby #1
Jun 22, 2012, 6:48 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,388
Go through the US i.e YOW-YYZ-LAX/LAS/PHX then onto YVR-YYJ, you will save about 30% to 40% and receive full status miles! If you need to go direct and avoid the US, good luck. ^
Jun 22, 2012, 7:03 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SIN / FRA
Programs: UA MP - 1K
Posts: 666
Thinking about this, you can also do the same for a revenue ticket.
Again, if things get serious, call in and change it to one of the next flights, that have the same fare class available still (if they don't, you have to pay change fee AND buy up into the next available fare class).
I'm assuming this shouldn't be too hard, since there are more than enough flights YOW-(YYZ)-(YYC/YVR)-YYJ
Jun 22, 2012, 3:42 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Flew over the Equator 55 times last 3 years
Programs: LANPASS Comodoro (Emerald), others
Posts: 2,957
Thanks for the suggestions. Of course, I have pursued them...
Wait and just buy revenue tix for next day or next couple days, on last minute fares, well, very high cost (over $1100).
Pre-buy revenue tix ($800) then change dates when known. Result: change fee $75 and fare change (if no fare change then could just buy, right?)
Wait for reward tix: might get lucky but... not a lucky person.
Pre-buy a reward flight and change dates when known. Result: change fee if are available last minute, but if they are, no need to take a chance and pre-buy, just buy?
Via USA, no problem with Global Entry/Nexus. Checked possible dates and no 30% less seen yet, actually a bit more, but nice mile accumulation.
Called AC on this, they are the experts, yes? Results: 10 day notice fares +/- 100 cheaper, ($720-760), than 7 day then 3 day advance fares ($20-$40 difference). 1 day advance fare, forget-about-it. Promos are Wednesdays, $75 change fee. Bottom line: call as soon as you can.
Called AP on this. Some availability. Could buy and change date but fee $90 and still dependent on the availability of seat at the time of booking, so not worth it. Bottom line: call as soon as you can.
From what the AP agent suggested, there is a chance a seat might be available, wait and see until have firm travel dates.
Wait and just buy revenue tix for next day or next couple days, on last minute fares, well, very high cost (over $1100).
Pre-buy revenue tix ($800) then change dates when known. Result: change fee $75 and fare change (if no fare change then could just buy, right?)
Wait for reward tix: might get lucky but... not a lucky person.
Pre-buy a reward flight and change dates when known. Result: change fee if are available last minute, but if they are, no need to take a chance and pre-buy, just buy?
Via USA, no problem with Global Entry/Nexus. Checked possible dates and no 30% less seen yet, actually a bit more, but nice mile accumulation.
Called AC on this, they are the experts, yes? Results: 10 day notice fares +/- 100 cheaper, ($720-760), than 7 day then 3 day advance fares ($20-$40 difference). 1 day advance fare, forget-about-it. Promos are Wednesdays, $75 change fee. Bottom line: call as soon as you can.
Called AP on this. Some availability. Could buy and change date but fee $90 and still dependent on the availability of seat at the time of booking, so not worth it. Bottom line: call as soon as you can.
From what the AP agent suggested, there is a chance a seat might be available, wait and see until have firm travel dates.